The Heart of a Christian Writer
Above: Watercolor Artwork by Rachel Grace Wilke (used with permission).

Have you ever felt a bit lost in the current state of your life? Ever found yourself wondering how the end of the year snuck onto your calendar in time to remind you of everything you meant to do this year…but didn’t?

It’s funny how some things never change, and how history repeats itself so often. I flip to my journals and planners from any year in the months of November and see the same themes. How life is lived in the unplanned moments, the ones that never made it onto the schedule but time was made for anyway. Whether illness, or sudden loss, or a plethora of circumstances that could reshape our lives for a season or forever. We plan, but ultimately are limited in our ability to control anything.

In September I made it for the first time in 2024 to the Christian women writers’ group I meet with in New Hampshire three times a year. I had missed the prior two meetings due to illness in January and an unforgettable hip surgery I had in April. I was desperate to be in the company of these precious women who are fellow writers and who share a passion for the Savior – the same One who lives in me, and writing. I especially wanted to be in the company of our gracious host and faithful leader, Sharon Gamble who is always a blessing to my writing and spiritual life, whose friendship I cherish.

In the morning I sat quietly, searching the scripture and enjoying the lack of distraction provided by the environment of my overnight stay in Dover, New Hampshire. I consider it my home away from home- especially for my Writerly Heart. It was during this time in the early morning before our group was scheduled to gather when this manna that seemed to drop from above fell onto the pages of my journal.

Dear Christian Writer, may your writerly heart be encouraged by the One who is the Word, and by these by words I wrote in September, whenever they find you. May your writing be blessed whether you write for The One, yourself, a few, or many. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Heart of a Christian Writer

I am

         a writer

But, I belong to the One

        who has written Eternity

                                     on my heart.

Therefore,

I am

       obligated to

speak life- with my ink-filled pen

speak life- with my typing fingers

speak life- through the words that leap

                      onto the page,

through the words

          that dance

                      across the screen

words from the One,

 through the One who

 lives and breathes and moves in me-

who gives words and who, in me,

Is the hope of glory!

I am a writer

And I write that they may know

The One who writes eternity

In their hearts.

###

Enthusiastically, Dawn

Artwork – seen in full here: by Rachel Grace Wilke (used with permission)

I’m Dawn

Welcome to my corner of the internet dedicated to journaling for discovery and delight, planning with purpose, and finding joy in the midst of incomprehensible loss. Here, I invite you to join me in exploring the surprising places a pen, open notebook, curious mind and truth-loving heart can lead.

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